Ultimate Brain User Guide
Welcome to the Ultimate Brain
The Ultimate Brain series is a culmination of over twenty years of research and recording. It features many of the most useful programs from the Acoustic Brain Research Library—programs that have benefited many individuals over the years. May they also help you to develop your creativity and intelligence, improve your problem-solving abilities, decrease stress, and increase your sense of wellness.
What is a Brain state?
The brain emits electrical potentials or patterns throughout its entire structure, caused by the passage of information between brain cells. These electrical patterns or brainwaves have been clinically shown to correlate with various mental and emotional states. The standard means for measuring brainwave activity is with an electroencephalogram, or EEG. The EEG measures how slow or fast the brain’s electromagnetic field is pulsing. These pulses are so fast that they must be measured in cycles per second, or hertz (Hz).
Brain states have been roughly divided into seven categories:
Super-High Beta: 35–150 Hz
K-Complex: 33–35 Hz
High-Beta: 23–33 Hz
Beta: 14–23 Hz
Alpha: 8–14 Hz
Theta: 4–8 Hz
Delta: 0.5–4 Hz
Delta is in the 0.5–4.0 Hz range, and it is associated with deep sleep and no awareness of the self. However, certain individuals with highly developed nervous systems have reported a deep stillness and a relaxed awareness of the self while in delta. Such persons have usually cultivated their nervous systems through such practices as yoga, meditation, etc.
The next level of brainwave activity is theta, which is in the 4–8 Hz range. Theta is associated with deep relaxation and profound imaging experiences such as dreams, visions, etc. Theta is also associated with certain types of accelerated learning and with the phenomena of self-healing.
From theta we move up into alpha, which is associated with mild relaxation. Alpha is in the 8–14 Hz range and is often used in accelerated learning methods, as well as stress-management programs. Alpha is an ideal state for learning and light relaxation since it produces a state of body and mind in which we are both relaxed and aware of the external world.
Beta is what we normally think of as waking state and is in the 14–23 Hz range. High-beta is in the 23–33 Hz range and is associated with heightened states of mental activity. K-complex is in the 33 Hz range, usually occurs in short bursts, and is associated with “a-ha” experiences (when one has a sudden integration of ideas or experiences).
Super-high beta states are associated with various states of arousal and alertness. Preliminary studies from some researchers indicate that some of these higher beta states may be useful in the creation of long-term memory and increased learning capacity.
The Magic Window–Alpha and Theta
By targeting certain brain states, it is possible to greatly assist internal activities such as learning, self-healing, and the exploration of altered states. In particular, the alpha and theta brain states are a “magic window” to your innate genius and intuitive powers. While in the theta state, internal experiences are vividly real. These imaginary events during theta activity can produce powerful transformational experiences that can affect not only your mental awareness but your neurophysiology as well. Because alpha state is more outwardly directed, while still producing a mild state of relaxation, it is ideal for situations where you want to decrease stress around learning as well as those times when you want to decrease the negative effects of stress.
The Ultimate Brain uses many different brain states but emphasizes those in the “magic window” of the alpha/theta range to increase your brain’s ability to enter resourceful altered states of awareness. Numerous studies have shown the efficacy of both alpha and theta activity to increase mental and physical wellness. In addition, these states of body and mind give you access to the more intuitive aspects of your own mind— sometimes referred to as the genius within.
What Makes The Ultimate Brain series so effective?
BioPulse™ Frequencies
One of the first things you will hear when you listen to any of these CDs is a series of odd sounds in the background called BioPulse™ frequencies. These frequencies are designed to allow the brain to move toward a target brain state. Biopulse frequencies are created by taking a 100-cycle-per- second sound and then pulsing it at different rates of speed, creating what is called entrainment. This is a way of pacing the brain toward a window of brain activity, toward one of the brain states we wish to produce. For instance, a pulse of 4 cycles per second tends to stimulate the low threshold between theta and delta for most people. A pulse of 10 cycles per second tends to stimulate activity in the mid-alpha range.
Entrainment
The principle of entrainment utilizes a part of the brain called the RAS, or the reticular activating system. It sits in the base of the brain in the brain stem and pays attention to new stimuli coming in from any of the senses. Be it a sound, sight, or touch, anything that is different alerts the RAS and stimulates the rest of the brain into a heightened brain state of more activity and alertness. When a sensory experience like a sound or image repeats itself without change, the RAS tends to relax and calm down the rest of the brain.
A good example of this is the hypnotizing effect of the dotted lines on the road when you are driving at night. Any pattern that is picked up by the RAS stimulates the brain either to relax or to become more alert. Entrainment occurs when sound pulses are picked up by the auditory cortex and sent down to the RAS. The RAS detects this pulse and recognizes it as something different. When the pulse is slow the brain begins to slow down. When it speeds up, the rest of the brain speeds up.
On a more technical note, brain-mapping studies (using EEG) show that the brain never enters just one brain state at a time. The brain is usually processing many different brain states simultaneously. Using statistical models, researchers can deduce which brain state is predominant or the strongest. This is what is usually referred to when we say there has been an increase in a particular brain state.
Tonal Matrices
Another important part of brain stimulation is the use of music specifically composed to produce an altered state. The sound quality, rhythm, harmonic relationships, melodic passages, and what are called sentic waveforms are all important parts of this kind of composition. The idea of sentic waves comes from the pioneering work of Manfred Clynes. The basic notion is that anything that creates a pressure wave, such as sound or touch, can create an emotional response. Sentic waves are specific waveforms used to produce emotional responses. All of these elements orchestrated together are what I call a tonal matrix. You will notice that the tonal matrix of each CD in The Ultimate Brain series is very different because each relates to the different tasks we want to perform and different brain states we want to produce.
Four Kinds of Psychoacoustic Tools in the ABR Library
The recordings in the Acoustic Brain Research library can be classified into four different types. Of the eight recordings included in The Ultimate Brain series, two help build new neurological networks, one helps in breaking free from psychological limitations, another acts as ambient support, and the remaining four are passive learning programs. Each CD includes detailed instructions for its use in the liner notes.
Active Learning–Building New Neurological Networks
These CDs are most effective when used at least once or twice a week.
Enhance Creative Problem Solving is a psychoacoustic recording in the mid-alpha range that utilizes a technique designed by Dr. Win Wenger called Image Streaming. This very powerful but simple technique increases measureable IQ, creative problem solving abilities, language abilities, and creativity. Research has shown that the use of image streaming can measurably increase your IQ with every twenty minutes of usage.
In Mind Gymnastiks you put the brain through its paces, from low-delta all the way up to K-complex. Just as when you work a muscle group in the gym you get stronger and have more physical capabilities, in Mind Gymnastiks you exercise specific areas of the brain so that your brain will perform better. You will be able to think more clearly and be more creative as a result of this training.
Breaking Free of Psychological Limitations
This CD can be used from once or twice a week up to once or twice a day, depending on your need for support.
Freedom to Change uses story and metaphor in the “magic window” of alpha and theta to empower the subconscious mind to create a change in psychological patterns. It is very useful for overcoming addiction; increasing self-esteem and self-worth; helping with feelings of being overwhelmed; dealing with emotional pain, grief, and loss; and lowering the risk of suicide.
Environmental Support
Play this CD any time you need to study, create, or work with less stress.
Ambient Support is a recording meant to be played in the background at low volumes. It is designed to decrease stress around learning and working and help you to be more creative.
Passive Learning
These CDs can be used as often you like.
Deep Rest is designed for those times you may not have had enough sleep or when you just want to take a break from your hectic schedule and enter into a refreshing brain state. It’s especially helpful for those who have difficulty sleeping.
Deep Relaxation and Healing utilizes the musical interval of the harmonic fifth to bring the listener into the theta state. It is useful for stress relief, healing, and for generating a profound state of relaxation.
Opening the Heart also uses the harmonic-fifth interval in conjunction with an ancient mantra believed to be the sound of the inner heart. It is a wonderfully moving, calming experience of relaxing theta that can be used specifically to activate the heart center.
Activate the Holographic Mind produces a very powerful altered state of consciousness through the use of theta state. Sixteen different voices all sing simultaneously, creating complex geometries of perception. It is used for generating experiences such as fantasies, dreams, visions, and for psycho-navigation (the use of altered states to go backward or forward in time, explore past memories, and enter into other realms of consciousness).
Small Actions Can Create Real Change
The Ultimate Brain is designed to give you everything you need to begin the fascinating journey of increasing your creativity, intelligence, sense of wellness, creative problem-solving abilities, and other resources that are inherent in your nervous system. But remember, The Ultimate Brain is an ever-evolving process, not an endpoint. No matter how intelligent and creative you become, you can always be more resourceful and more powerful in your life. The Ultimate Brain is a potential for each of us. It is up to you how far you take it.
In my twenty-three years of working as a psychotherapist and brain researcher, I have seen true miracles occur in people’s lives as a result of changing how they used their brains. Research clearly shows that we can build new neurological connections, function at higher levels, and develop new mental and emotional abilities at any age. No matter what your situation in life may be, or what you think your mental and emotional limitations are, know that your brain can change—and when it does, so does your experience of life.
When it comes to our brains, the smallest changes can make extraordinary differences. I can honestly make you this promise. Use The Ultimate Brain for the next month or two and you will be absolutely amazed at the positive changes that will occur in your life, all because your brain will be performing at a higher level. Years of experience have taught me that our brains like to be challenged; they like to learn new things, and although it isn’t scientific to say this—I think our brains do better when they are happy. And like happy people, a happy brain is a good thing.
Tom Kenyon